A devastating road accident on the Atebubu-Yeji highway has left eight people dead and several others critically injured, plunging communities in the Pru East District into mourning.
The crash occurred around 5:30 p.m. on Monday near Yomoase Beposo, when a mini-bus carrying 19 passengers from Ejura to Yeji struck a large pothole and overturned.
The bus, registered AS 4360-23, was reportedly speeding at the time of the accident. Many of the passengers were cattle traders returning home from business.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but eight lives; seven Muslims and one Christian, were tragically lost.
The identities of the deceased have not yet been made public as families are being notified.
According to medical personnel, one passenger is in critical condition at the Atebubu Government Hospital, while several others are receiving emergency care at Yeji Mathias Catholic Hospital. One patient has been referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, and another has been treated and discharged.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation, though preliminary findings point to excessive speed and the poor condition of the road as major contributing factors.
Speaking to the media, the District Chief Executive of Pru East, Hon. Dauda Abdul Naasir, described the road stretch from Ejura to Yeji as “deadly” and in urgent need of government attention. He pledged, in collaboration with Members of Parliament from Pru East, Pru West, and Atebubu-Amantin, to lobby for immediate repairs to prevent further loss of life.
“This tragedy is a painful reminder of the dangers our people face daily on these roads. We cannot afford to lose more lives,” Hon. Naasir said.
Community members and local leaders are now calling on the government and relevant agencies to take swift action to improve road safety, especially in rural transport corridors where infrastructure is often neglected.
